Storia do Mogor 266.2.7

266.2.7

On this occasion fortune did not smile upon him. After many deaths and the spilling of much blood, he was defeated and taken prisoner. The Arab general received him with a great show of affection, doing him much honour, as his bravery deserved. His only object in flattering him was that through this means he might become master of the fortress of Masqat, a very strong place — nay, impregnable. Rey Freire pretended that he wished to cede him the fortress, hoping to gain his own liberty. During the days that this negotiation lasted Rey Freire seemed much cast down and full of melancholy. The Arab general asked the reason of this depression. The deceiver replied that he was sorrowful because, being a prisoner, he was unable to celebrate the festival of his birthday, as he had hitherto been used to do. The Arab general replied that he would provide all the supplies that were required, and he might do what he wished. The trickster remarked that without wine there was no gladness. He was then permitted to send for some, boats being provided which brought a large supply of wine. Then the general and other Arab officers joined him, and they sat all night drinking deeply. In this way they all became intoxicated. The astute prisoner fell on the ground and made out he had drunk too much, rolling about and vomiting. The Arabs, who were also drunk, returned to the island without any one of them taking possession of his boat.